Junie B., First Grader_ Aloha-Ha-Ha! - Barbara Park [6]
He came back very glum. Phooey, he said. I couldn't see a thing. Now what?
I thought some more.
Then yay! A little light bulb went on in my head! And I quick reached my hand into my backpack again. And I took out Hula Girl Delores!
“Phil! Phil! It's Delores! It's Delores!” I said. “Delores is skinny enough to fit through the seat space! See? Plus her eyes are not even buttons!”
Philip smiled. You are sharp as a tack, Junie B., he said.
“I know it, Philip! I know I am sharp as a tack. And so I will send Delores on a spy mission to the seat behind us,” I said. “Please stand by.”
After that, I picked up Delores. And I pushed her through the seat space. And I let her take a nice long peek.
Only just then, a little bit of trouble happened.
And it's called, I felt a tug on Delores's head.
And then whoosh!
Someone pulled her to the other side of the seat!
I could not believe my eyeballs at that situation!
Very quick, I got on my knees. And me and Philip looked over the top of my seat.
And oh no, oh no!
Another grouchy lady was staring back at us!
She was holding Delores in her hand. And her face was not smiling.
She did a frown at me.
“You're a little bit old to be playing peekaboo, don't you think?” she grumped.
I did another gulp.
“Yeah, only we weren't even playing peekaboo,” I said.
We were on a spy mission, said Philip Johnny Bob.
Just then, Daddy stood up. And said a ’pology to the woman. And he got Delores back for me.
Then he sat me back in my seat. And he said if I do not behave myself, we will turn this plane right around. And we won't even go to Hawaii!
I looked and looked at that man.
That was a bluff, I think.
After that, I put Delores away in my backpack. And me and Philip whispered to each other real secret.
“I can't believe it, Phil,” I said. “There's a grouchy lady in front of us and a grouchy lady behind us.”
Philip did a sigh. We're right in the middle of a grouchy lady sandwich.
We slumped down in our seat. And we looked out the window.
Then whew! At last! The pilot talked over the loudspeakers. And he said we are next in line for takeoff!
Me and Philip hugged each other real happy.
And then, yippee! The engines got very loud.
And the plane started to move.
And we went faster and faster and faster!
And … HA!
WE WENT ALL THE WAY UP IN THE SKY!
It was just like a magic carpet, I tell you! There were puffy clouds wherever I looked!
“THIS VIEW TAKES MY BREATHING AWAY!” I hollered to Mother and Daddy.
Mother smiled. “Yes, it does,” she said. “But you don't have to shout.”
I pointed at my ears.
“YEAH, ONLY THERE'S AIRPLANE NOISE IN MY HEAD! AND SO I CAN'T ACTUALLY HEAR MY OWN VOICE!” I explained.
Mother picked up my backpack.
“Well, let's try to find something quiet to do, okay?”
“OKAY!” I said back.
We looked through all the stuff I brought.
Then hurray, hurray!
I spotted my brand-new camera!
“WOW! I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT THAT ASSIGNMENT!” I said. “TODAY WILL BE THE FIRST OFFICIAL PICTURE FOR MY PHOTO JOURNAL!”
My eyes lighted up.
“HEY! I KNOW! YOU CAN TAKE A PICTURE OF ME BY THE WINDOW! OKAY, MOTHER? OKAY? A PICTURE OF ME BY THE WINDOW WILL BE THE PERFECT START!”
Mother put her finger to her lips.
“Shh! You're still talking too loudly, Junie B. Everyone can hear you,” she said.
After that, she took out the camera. And she started to aim.
“NO! NO! WAIT! HOLD IT! I DIDN'T EVEN GET POSED YET!” I told her.
I quick undid my seat belt and leaned next to the window.
“GET THE CLOUDS IN THE BACKGROUND, OKAY, MOTHER? ROOM ONE WILL LOVE TO SEE ME WAY UP HIGH IN THE CLOUDS!”
Philip Johnny Bob was still sitting on the seat.
I reached over and picked him up.
“AND GET PHILIP, TOO! OKAY? JUST ME … AND PHILIP … AND THE CLOUDS … AND THAT'S ALL,” I said.
Just then, Philip tapped on me. And he whispered a funny secret.
I started to laugh.
Then I told the funny secret to Mother.
“PLUS PHILIP SAYS DON'T GET THE GROUCHY LADIES!” I said. “’Cause THOSE TWO GROUCHPOTS WILL RUIN MY WHOLE ENTIRE PHOTO JOURNAL.”
Mother's eyes got big and wide at me.
“SHH! JUNIE